Question 1

When asked what a hanger is useful for,a child says it is useful for hanging clothes.This demonstrates
A) convergent thinking.
B) disjunctive thinking.
C) illumination.
D) an algorithm.

Accepted Answer

Convergent thinking refers to the ability to reach a single, correct answer to a problem or question. In this case, the child is able to provide the correct and most common use of a hanger which is hanging clothes.

Question 2

Creativity is the ability to produce outcomes that are ______ and ______.
A) valuable;common
B) easy to use;unique
C) generational;easy to use.
D) novel;valued by others.

Accepted Answer

Creativity involves producing outcomes that are new, original, or novel. These outcomes must also have some sort of value or be appreciated by others in order to be considered creative. Therefore, the best choice is D, which includes both the ideas of novelty and being valued by others.

Question 3

Which is safer,flying on a commercial airplane or driving an automobile?
A) You are slightly safer in the air than on the ground.
B) There is no difference in safety between air and ground.
C) You are much safer in the air than on the ground.
D) You are moderately safer on the ground than in the air.

Accepted Answer

Statistically, flying on a commercial airplane is much safer than driving an automobile. The fatality rate for air travel is significantly lower than that for car travel, making air travel one of the safest modes of transportation.

Question 4

The question "how many ways can a paper clip be used?" calls for
A) convergent thinking.
B) an objective view.
C) a mental set.
D) divergent thinking.

Accepted Answer

This question encourages brainstorming and generating multiple ideas, which is a characteristic of divergent thinking.

Question 5

Sudden insight pertaining to the solution of a problem was referred to by Wallas as
A) eureka!
B) aha!
C) illumination.
D) insight.

Accepted Answer

Sudden insight pertaining to the solution of a problem is specifically referred to as illumination by Wallas. While "aha" and "eureka" are often used colloquially to signify a sudden realization or insight, Wallas' terminology is more precise in this regard. Therefore, option C - illumination- is the best choice.

Question 6

Janice finished organizing the elements of a problem.Which cognitive operation should she perform next?
A) perceive and formulate the problem
B) generate and evaluate alternative solutions
C) construct a mental set
D) develop a goal state

Accepted Answer

After organizing the elements of a problem, the next cognitive operation would be to generate and evaluate alternative solutions. This allows for brainstorming and considering different options in order to choose the best course of action.

Question 7

In Wallas's problem solving sequence,______ refers to the initial attempt to formulate the problem,recall relevant facts,and begin to consider possible solutions.
A) incubation
B) preparation
C) illumination
D) verification

Accepted Answer

The initial attempt to formulate the problem, recall relevant facts, and begin to consider possible solutions is called preparation. Incubation refers to the period of time when the problem solver sets the problem aside and lets their unconscious mind work on solving it. Illumination is the sudden insight or realization of the solution. Verification is the final stage of the problem-solving process where the solution is tested and evaluated.

Question 8

You make your famous strawberry banana daiquiris for a gathering of your best friends.You use a recipe to ensure the correct combination of ingredients.Which approach to problem solving was used in this example?
A) trial-and-error
B) heuristics
C) expert systems
D) an algorithm

Accepted Answer

An algorithm was used in this example as the individual followed a specific recipe to ensure the correct combination of ingredients.

Question 9

It is thought that creative people have a greater ability to use
A) conjunctive thinking.
B) associative thinking.
C) convergent thinking.
D) divergent thinking.

Accepted Answer

Divergent thinking involves generating multiple ideas or solutions to a problem, which is a key component of creativity. Conjunctive thinking involves identifying the relationships between different pieces of information, but may not necessarily lead to new ideas. Associative thinking involves making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, which can be helpful for generating new ideas, but is not as directly related to creativity as divergent thinking. Convergent thinking involves narrowing down ideas to the best solution, which is important for practical problem-solving, but may limit the exploration of new ideas.

Question 10

We tend to use certain steps in the solution of a problem.Before we can understand the elements of a problem,we must _______ the problem.
A) formulate
B) generate
C) analyze
D) evaluate

Accepted Answer

Formulating the problem means defining and understanding the problem itself, which is necessary before proceeding to analyze, generate, or evaluate possible solutions.

Question 11

After we have generated several solutions,our next task in the process of problem solving is to
A) develop a mental set.
B) evaluate the solutions.
C) organize the elements of the problem.
D) formulate the problem.

Accepted Answer

Evaluating the solutions is the next step in the problem-solving process after generating them. This involves examining each potential solution and determining its potential effectiveness and feasibility.

Question 12

The willingness to consider unconventional approaches,to use imagination,and to attempt to develop new definitions of problems are central characteristics of
A) convergent thinking.
B) intelligence.
C) divergent thinking.
D) algorithmic approaches.

Accepted Answer

The willingness to consider unconventional approaches, to use imagination, and to attempt to develop new definitions of problems are characteristics of divergent thinking. Convergent thinking, on the other hand, involves finding a single solution to a problem through logical and systematic means. Intelligence and algorithmic approaches do not specifically pertain to the characteristics mentioned in the question.

Question 13

Voting for a candidate based on having heard her on TV rather than on having systematically studied the viewpoints of all the candidates is problem solving based on
A) algorithms.
B) convergence.
C) divergence.
D) heuristics.

Accepted Answer

Making a decision based on limited information, such as hearing a candidate on TV, is an example of heuristics, which is problem solving based on using shortcuts or rules of thumb rather than a systematic approach. Algorithms would be a systematic approach, while convergence and divergence are not relevant to the scenario described.

Question 14

The correct sequence of cognitive operations used in problem solving (starting from the beginning)is
A) formulate,evaluate,generate.
B) evaluate,understand,generate.
C) formulate,understand,generate.
D) understand,evaluate,formulate.

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence of cognitive operations used in problem solving is first to formulate the problem, then to understand the problem, and finally to generate potential solutions. Evaluating potential solutions comes later in the process. Therefore, choice C (formulate, understand, generate) is the best answer.

Question 15

If you are a ______ thinker,you are more easily able to break out of mental sets and think in very creative ways.
A) divergent
B) convergent
C) concurrent
D) divested

Accepted Answer

Divergent thinking is the ability to generate multiple solutions or ideas in response to a problem or task. This type of thinking allows individuals to break out of mental sets and come up with creative solutions. Convergent thinking, on the other hand, involves narrowing down ideas to come up with a single correct answer, and is not as effective for generating creative ideas. Concurrent and divested are not related to types of thinking.

Question 16

With respect to types of thinking,rigid is to flexible as
A) divergent is to functional fixedness.
B) functional fixedness is to convergent.
C) convergent is to divergent.
D) divergent is to heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Rigid thinking is inflexible, while flexible thinking is adaptable and open to different solutions. Convergent thinking is more rigid, as it focuses on finding a single correct answer, while divergent thinking is more flexible, as it involves generating multiple possible solutions or ideas. Therefore, the relationship between rigid and flexible thinking is similar to the relationship between convergent and divergent thinking.

Question 17

The tendency to make decisions about what is unknown based on what we know is called
A) trial and error.
B) the representativeness heuristic.
C) an algorithmic approach.
D) the availability heuristic.

Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic is the tendency to make decisions about a situation based on our previous experiences and information. It helps us quickly categorize new information based on our existing knowledge and assumptions. The other options (trial and error, algorithmic approach, and availability heuristic) are not concerned with making decisions based on our past experiences and knowledge.

Question 18

A person using heuristics to solve a problem would
A) demonstrate functional fixedness.
B) take shortcuts.
C) consider and evaluate every option.
D) always find a solution.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that allow individuals to solve problems quickly and efficiently. Therefore, a person using heuristics would take shortcuts in their problem-solving strategy. Functional fixedness, the idea that individuals have difficulty thinking about objects in a non-traditional way, is not necessarily related to the use of heuristics. Heuristics do not necessarily require consideration and evaluation of every option and there is no guarantee that a person using heuristics will always find a solution.

Question 19

Ami solved a problem by using a strategy that guarantees a correct solution.She most likely used
A) an algorithm.
B) heuristics.
C) a mental set.
D) an intelligence quotient.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct solution to a problem. Ami's use of a strategy that guarantees a correct solution suggests that she used an algorithm.

Question 20

An algorithm is a systematic pattern of reasoning that
A) leads to a correct solution if followed.
B) generates multiple,possible solutions to test.
C) followed a preprogrammed series of shortcuts.
D) records individual trials and errors.

Accepted Answer

An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure that leads to a correct solution if followed. It provides a systematic pattern of reasoning to solve a problem or perform a task. The other options, generating multiple solutions, following preprogrammed shortcuts or recording individual trials and errors are not necessarily part of an algorithm.

Quiz 9: Cognition, Language, and Intelligence

When asked what a hanger is useful for,a child says it is useful for hanging clothes.This demonstrates

Creativity is the ability to produce outcomes that are and .

Which is safer,flying on a commercial airplane or driving an automobile?

The question "how many ways can a paper clip be used?" calls for

Sudden insight pertaining to the solution of a problem was referred to by Wallas as

Janice finished organizing the elements of a problem.Which cognitive operation should she perform next?

In Wallas's problem solving sequence,______ refers to the initial attempt to formulate the problem,recall relevant facts,and begin to consider possible solutions.

You make your famous strawberry banana daiquiris for a gathering of your best friends.You use a recipe to ensure the correct combination of ingredients.Which approach to problem solving was used in this example?

It is thought that creative people have a greater ability to use

We tend to use certain steps in the solution of a problem.Before we can understand the elements of a problem,we must _______ the problem.

After we have generated several solutions,our next task in the process of problem solving is to

The willingness to consider unconventional approaches,to use imagination,and to attempt to develop new definitions of problems are central characteristics of

Voting for a candidate based on having heard her on TV rather than on having systematically studied the viewpoints of all the candidates is problem solving based on

The correct sequence of cognitive operations used in problem solving (starting from the beginning) is

If you are a ______ thinker,you are more easily able to break out of mental sets and think in very creative ways.

With respect to types of thinking,rigid is to flexible as

The tendency to make decisions about what is unknown based on what we know is called

A person using heuristics to solve a problem would

Ami solved a problem by using a strategy that guarantees a correct solution.She most likely used

An algorithm is a systematic pattern of reasoning that